Is An African World Cup Finalist On The Horizon? | OneFootball

By Calvin Burton.

At the 1978 World Cup in Mexico, Tunisia became the first African nation to win a match at the FIFA World Cup. Eight years later, again in Mexico, Morocco became the first side from the continent to progress beyond the group stage. In 2022, the Atlas Lions went a step further, becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the world’s most prestigious competition.

Morocco’s rise has not occurred in isolation. They now sit eighth in the latest FIFA World Rankings published on 19 January, and their recent progress may be indicative of something broader. The recent Africa Cup of Nations has underlined just how many teams across the continent are capable of sustaining deep runs at major international tournaments.

African football has long been stereotyped as relying primarily on physicality. In reality, the continent has always produced defensively resilient sides and some of the game’s most gifted attacking talents. What stood out during this tournament, however, was the growing number of teams playing with cohesion and fluidity more commonly associated with the most successful international teams.

All four semi-finalists were coached by African managers able to impose clear identities on their teams. Continuity has played a significant role. Nigeria, for example, have played 22 matches since March 2025. This has allowed patterns of play and attacking relationships to develop, resulting in some of the most entertaining performances in recent tournament memory.

Structural reform is set to accelerate this process. Under CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe, the introduction of the African Nations League promises more meaningful games than ever and fewer prolonged periods without competitive football. African nations, therefore, will be arriving at World Cups as well prepared as their European counterparts.

From 2028, AFCON will align with the UEFA European Championships and Copa América’s schedule, a shift that shall elevate the tournament’s standing, removing its long-held perception as a disruption to club football. A more prestigious, less frequent AFCON may also strengthen Africa’s relationship with its diaspora. Greater tournament stability and reputation increase the likelihood of dual-national players committing long-term, raising the overall quality and depth available to national teams.

The next challenge lies at club level. Africa’s leading nations remain heavily reliant on Europe-based players, though Egypt and South Africa have demonstrated that domestic leagues can still form the backbone of competitive international sides. Expanding opportunities for young players to develop locally, through improved academies and league structures, will be crucial for future success.

Senegal’s much-praised academies provide a model worth replicating. Combined with a stronger club framework, initiatives such as the proposed African Super League may yet unlock further potential, provided they are revisited with sustainable foundations.

Motsepe’s tenure has already delivered tangible improvements. AFCON in Morocco showcased infrastructure and organisational standards that have often been lacking in the tournament’s past. The 2030 World Cup will be the first in Africa in 20 years and will be the second edition to allow up to nine African teams to qualify.